Effect of even- and odd-numbered saturated fatty acids, ranging from lauric to stearic acids, was studied on the de novo synthesis of glycerolipids in rat liver slices. For all fatty acids tested, a marked synthesis of saturated glycerolipids was observed except for phosphatidylethanolamine. When compared at the fixed concentration (2 mM), myristic acid caused a peak synthesis of saturated glycerolipids, and the presence of longer or shorter even- and odd-numbered fatty acids resulted in their lesser formation. The formation of saturated species of triacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine closely followed the mode of synthesis of saturated diacylglycerols, though dipentadecanoyl-and dipalmitoylglycerols appeared to be less converted to the corresponding saturated triacylglycerols in comparison to the other saturated diacylglycerols. Very little formation of saturated diacylglycerols occurred when lauric, tridecanoic and stearic acids were tested. The majority of lauric and tridecanoic acids incorporated into saturated diacylglycerols was shown to be chain-elongated prior to esterification.